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Sedans Cadillac DTS Cadillac DTS/STS vs. Chrysler 300/300C
75 messages, Last post on Mar 15, 2009 at 4:35 PM
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| Can't wait for the new DTS to come out so it will finally be up to date and ready to compete with the S Class. This one is dated and doesn't look as good as the original (before they called it DTS). I know the new one won't be called DTS. And since when is there a Sport model. It doesn't compete with the 300C SRT8 in perfromance- not even the 300C. THere is a 50hp difference. Maybe eventually Chrysler will stop being stupid and move the beautiful 300C upmarket some. It would compete with the like of the STS well if it had a nice interior. | |
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I'm a '05 300C owner (36k miles) who's decided 2008 will be my Cadillac year. But can't decide between the CTS and DTS. First test drive of the CTS (15 minutes with the dealer) was underwhelming...so concluded a longer test is necessary to really evaluate the cars. Just turned in a '08 DTS Lux III after 24 hours and 175 miles of my typical local routes. Impressions: Exterior styling is a wash with the 300C. I prefer the front and the flanks of the 300C but like the DTS backside better. Interior styling is also individual preference--I like the 300C's, especially the white dial dash which doesn't have a visibility problem--but have to say the DTS switch gear--with the exception of that ancient and awful turn signal/highbeam/washer/wiper stalk, virtually identical to ones on the cheapest Chevy--looked and felt higher quality. The soft panels on the doors were also nicer than the rubbermaid 300C, though the armrests could have been a bit wider. What could have been done better on the DTS was the center stack trim (black plastic framed by wood just looked like a job half done). And I think there are just too many "convenience" controls on the steering wheel. It's no longer intuitive and if you have to take you eyes off the road to look down at the steering wheel, well, then why not just leave the switches on the dash. This car had the 6-passenger seat arrangement with a column shifter. That shifter got in the way when reaching for the radio controls. Although there was plenty of headroom (no sunroof), I banged my head on the door frame on entering and hit the overhead console when leaning over to the glove box. Much more clearance in the 300C. What a great ride in the DTS. I didn't do any drag racing, nor twisty mountain Grand Prix driving mind you. But the ride felt both solid and soft with vitually no evidence of float. Control over relatively winding roads was excellent. And the DTS was noticeably quieter than the 300C. The feeling was of a more substantial car. There was some torque steer at high throttle but nothing with routine driving.sub For those who whine because of the "ancient" 4-speed automatic: Get over it. I neither missed the extra gear (the 300C has a 5-speed), nor the 60 hp. The engine/transmission was extremely responsive and there was more than enough power for all but really stupid driving antics. And the DTS had a nicer exhaust note. What I didn't like in response was a slightly oversensitive throttle, both from a stop and when coming out of a sharp turn. Not as bad as some Ford products but I still found it hard not to snap my passenger's neck. And I really missed some engine breaking when letting up on the throttle. The 300C will downshift on deceleration. There was nothing like that with the DTS. Felt more like free wheeling. Even downshifting the 3rd produced no noticeable braking. Might be an advantage for someone who tends to make jerky throttle movements, but I didn't particularly like it Really missed the headlight flash-to-pass feature in daytime. Really missed it. Didn't go through all the setups for the systems but did glance through the owners manual. You've got to be kidding with setting up the garage remote. For the 300C you select Garage Opener from the dash menu, hit Program, then press on your garage door opener and the car reads the signal and programs itself. You don't have to open up the remote and read the set of numbers etc. Setting up the tire pressure monitor seemed as complicated, but I guess you can have the dealer do that. And finally, for a car with only 7,000 miles, I was surprised at the number of dash rattles. So after this test I guess the DTS has become a car I'd "like to own" rather than a "gotta have". Haven't decided if the "I'd like" is enough to justify turning in my 300C. But I still have to do a 24 hr test of the CTS....
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Replying to: vic10 (Dec 27, 2007 12:27 pm) The 300C transmission has a 3.58:1 low gear with a 2.82:1 axle ratio The Cadillac has a 2.95:1 low gear and either a 3.11:1 or a 3.71:1(performance) axle ratio. So either the low gear on the Cadillac is not quite as low, or is lower. Second and third gears on the 300C are lower and higher than 2nd on the base Cadillac, while the performance Cadillac is about the same as the 300C 2nd. I have a six speed automatic in my SRX and I do think that it is better overall than the 4 speed was in the 2002 Seville that I had. But the basic 4 speed will do the job quite well, but I found that I had to help it along with selecting 3rd on climbing long grades. My SRX seems to be much better at picking the right gear. |
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Replying to: bremertong (Jun 16, 2006 8:12 pm)
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Replying to: coolrunning (Mar 09, 2008 10:31 am) I did look at a Chrysler 300 (the limited I think) and I thought the interior was mostly hard plastic. Still the 300 is a lot of car for the money. While the interior is not luxury class, the suspension is based on a Mercedes design I think. I don't know if you were looking at the RWD STS or an older FWD STS.
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Replying to: sls002 (Mar 11, 2008 12:07 pm) |
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Replying to: coolrunning (Mar 12, 2008 6:34 am) I own a 2007 SRX and find that it is a nice vehicle for road trips. Compared to my 2002 Seville LS (FWD), the SRX handles much better. The ride is a bit firmer as should be expected with lower profile tires rated for 150 MPH. Cadillac's are much more expensive than the Chrysler 300 and should be more luxurious for the extra money. The 300C does have a lot of performance for the money, and the suspension is good compared to say the Lincoln Town Car or other RWD Ford products. The RWD STS is a good sports sedan, but is very expensive when well equipped. I would have considered the Magnum wagon, but I don't want the hemi engine (too big and thirsty), while the 3.5 liter V6 is probably not quite big enough. If Chrysler had an engine in the 4.2 to 4.5 liter range able to produce about 280 lb-ft of torque in the 3000 to 4000 RPM range, I would have really considered the Magnum. However, I live where snow and ice are winter time problems and I find that the AWD I have to be very useful. In case you are not aware, Pontiac is set to sell the G8, made by Holden (a GM brand). The G8 has an interior that compares (I think) with the 300C. It also has a 6.2 liter V8 that should compare with the hemi for performance. |
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Replying to: sls002 (Mar 12, 2008 8:19 am) I agree that the new G8 will be a more direct competitor for the 300C. Remains to be seen what will happen with the powerplants of both those cars now that the new CAFE standards need to be figured in. GM has already dropped the development plans for the Northstar successor as a result. Maybe we'll be seeing some turbo diesels in our future....
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Replying to: vic10 (Mar 12, 2008 9:02 am) |
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Replying to: sls002 (Mar 12, 2008 8:19 am) 
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